Machine for decorticating fibrous plants.



WIJ. HQLLIER.

MACHINE FOR DECORTICATING FIBROUS PLA'NTVS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.23. I9I2. l

Patented 0st. 26, 19'15.

W31. HOLUEH.

MACHINE FUR DECORHCATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

A?P'L.ICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 193

Patend 001i. 26, 1915 I. HOL'LIER.

MACHINE FOR DECORTICATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT23` ISIZ.

Patented Oct. 26, 19I.

4 SHEEISdSHEET 3.

ISST4 APPUCATION mw SEPT.

mjso,

i treatment of the leaf plants,

waarna Jona Henri-Inn, or'sr. Louis, MIs'soURI..

MACHINE FG DECORTICATING FIBROUS PLANTS.

specimen@ of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct'. 26, 1915.

Application led September 23, 1912. Serial No. 721,942.

To all 'whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER JOHN HoL- man, a Britishsubject, residing in the city of St, Louis and Statev of Missouri, have invented new and-useful Improvements in Machines for lecorticatingV Fibrous llants, of which the following is a specification.`

This invention .relates to a novel machine for separating the fiber from fibrous plants of either the leaf or stalk4 variety. it Yis adapted for recovering liber from plants of the fioe and Aga/Ue families, from New Zealand and Manila hemp, and from Sansevieria, penguin, andthe banana stalk; but 1t is especiallydesigned vfor use in recovering fiber from plants having long leaves.'

ln the embodiment of the invention, as iliustrated in the accompanying drawings,'1 ini to provide more particularly -for the and especially iongfleaf plants, as indicated ahove;-but the principle of the invention may be equally weil applied to the treatnientA of all charaeters of iibrous `plants, including, among others of the stai-,lk variety, ramie, hemp, jute, and more particularly flax, necessitating only such changes in form or-proportion as may be required by the nature or size of the material to be treated.

in an application for Letters-Patent of the United States filed by me on August 5th, 3&2, Serial No. 713,220, I describe and illustrate@ machine comprising two revolving cylinders of different size, mounted on the same shaft to rotate in unison, such cyl-A inders being provided with ribs of projecting pins surrounding their circumference, and means for feeding the material length-v '.vise of these cylinders, and into contact with the pins ythereon in such manner that the outer cuticle and wastefmatter is removed from the fiber from first one portion of the leaf or stalk, and then from the other. A highly important feature of the invent-ion,

which is also embodied in the present case, is

the fact that the plants are so fed that they progressively acted upon by the cleanparts of the larger cylinder from the anni toward 'the rear or butt end of the leaves or stalks,I which operation tends to nl. inte strain on the fiber and eliminates in ctically all loss of same. The smaller cylinder is employed for decorticating the pmtion of the plants previously gripped by, and closely adjacent to the feed carrier of the larger cylinder and which, therefore,

`ber, I find that there i's-a tendencyfof the fiber to hug the cylinder so tightly that lsome of the fiber is broken occasioning loss.

Largely to overcome'tliis objection, as Well as to provide a machine which-may'be'made to readily accommodate the largest sizes of leaves, I have devised the machine forming the subject matter of theypresent applica tion. This machine comprises ygenerally a for revolving the same, such aprons being provided With rows of projectingtpins, preferably arranged in staggered relation, these two aprons correspondlng to the dtwo cylinders of my previous patent, .the supporting and driving sprockets of the two aprons being mounted, respectively, on the same shafts. These aprons travel in 4horizontal planes and thereis practically notendenc forthe fiber to cling to the surface thereo By reason of thisdfact, `I am enabled to treat long leaves having fine, .delicate ber, and in such operation Athe .element of waste due to breaking the fibers isgpractica'lly ml. l

A further distinguishing feature of this invention is a spiral feed device which oplarge and small endlessapron, with means f crates to aline.v the butt ends of the stalksy against the fendlof the feed trough, and to convey said stalks between the vfeedfchains which carry them over endless aprons. e

In the accompanying drawings, .Figure 1 is aplan view of a machine constructedaccording to my invention, a portion "of the guard of the smaller apron being shown broken away Eig.- 2is a View in rear eleva` tion; Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on lthe line ,3-3 of Fig. 2, but on an en .arged scale Fig. 4 is a section, also on an en ar ed scale, on the line 4-4 of figure 2; and ig. is a broken sectional View taken onthe line los 5*.5 of Fig. s, or. the une 5-5-ef Fig-1 the view being designed to illustrate more olea rly the manner o f supporting the aprons to cause them toy travel in a horizontal plane.

Referring now to these drawings, the

numeral l indicates, generally, the frame of roo i chine described.

The machine as a whole is rectangular in shape and extending lengthwise thereof at the sides are girders 2, on whichare supported,'near opposite ends of the machine, bearings 3, having mountedntherein two main shafts, 4,5, the shaft 4.beingy the driving shaftand having a driving pulley 4 dotted-lines in Fig. 2. Over the sprocket mounted thereon. .Secured on the shaftf4, at equal distances apart, are four sprocket 'wheel's6, and secured on the shaft 5 are four.

similar but `smaller sprocket wheels, 7-the two I'sets of `sprocket .wheelsnbeing in alinement. n l

. The numeral l8 indicates the main decor-r jacent-,rows o pins ofthe two adjoining' slats. -The bearings 3, at opposite sides of the machine :are connected by an integral cross-beaml12, said cross-beams being connected-'by tiepbars 13,' three of such bars being-shown. Extending upward from each tie bar='13,are four yvertical posts 14, the said posts beingarranged in line with each otheigand.` supported on the up er endsof thesel posts are four'rails 15-w ich-lie directly 4under Ithea'espective chains 10 and support them, so as to cause the slats carrying Athe pins -to -travel in a horizontal plane between Ithe sets 4of 'sprocket -wheels` 6 and 7.

'Ilhezsha-ft .isi continued beyond the frame confining'lz'thcflarger d ecoiticating apron 8,

land `secured on the extended end thereof are three .sprocket wheels 16', somewhat `smaller than thesprocket vwheels 6. Secured on a shaft. lrabuttin'g the end of vshaft 5, are three isprocket .wheels 17, which are con- 'isiderably; smaller than thesprocket a heels 7.

Extending. over these two sets` of sprocket.

wheels .are three,sprocket chains17, to

whichz-areasecured parallell series of vslats 18,l

each `ofwhich, isprovided with two rows of .pins 19,l arranged vin staggered relation in the,.fsame ,mannenas described ,with reference to 'apron 8.4 The shafts 17 are sup-l `will refer genof a pair of bearing plates 23, secured on the front end of the frame, is a double sprocket wheel 24, the bearing of said wheel being indicated at 25 in Fig. Toward the lower end of these plates 23, there is mounted a second double sprocket wheel 26. Toward the rear end of the apron 8, a pair of plates 27 are `secured to the frame, and between these plates is mounted a third double sprocket wheel 2S, `and above it a fourth double sprocket wheel 29. The sprocket wheels 24, 26, 28 and 29 are shown only in wheels thus located pass two sprocket chains 30 which travel together as one chain. Above the plates 23, there are secured to the lupper part of the frame, at the front end of the machine, two arms 31, between which is mounted va doubleV sprocket wheel 32.- Mounted between plates 33, similar to, and extendingy in lniewith the plates 27, above the same, is a double sprocket wheel 34, and over thesprocket wheels and 34 pass two .sprocket chains 35 which travel together as one chain. The chains 3() and 35 travel .in parallel relation for a portion of their distance in an inclined direct n, as shown.

more vclearly in Fig. 2, and extending bcytween the arms. 31 and plates 33 is a chan- .neled 'race-way 37,v and immediately below it and larallel, thereto, a similar race-way 38, chain 35 traveling in the race-wav 37, and the chain 30 in the race-wayv 38, and said race-ways Icausing the chains to travel in -parallel relation and in such close proxa double sprocket wheel 41, and between similar plates 42, there is mounted a siinilar sprocket wheel 43, and over the sprocket wheels 41 and 43 ispasseda double sprocket chain 44', on the outer side of the links of which are mounted a series of rubber or other elastic blocks 45. Belowand in line ,with they plates 40 are'mounted a similar pair of plates 4G, between and toward the upper end of which is mounted a double sprocket -wheel 47. Beneath the sprocket wheel`43, there is mounted in the upper end of apair of plates '48, located below and in line with the plates 42, a double sprocket wheel .49. `Suitably vmounted .in bearings below the two sprocket wheels last described,

are two idler sprockets 50 and 51, and around the sprockets i7, 29, 50 and 51 are ing supported by a race-way 53 and the chain 44 carrying' the blocks 45 running in a race-way 54 mounted in the frame in parfas allel relation with the race-way 53. The race-ways 53 and 54 are positioned such a distance apart that the blocks 45. will run in direct contact with the outer surface of the links of the chain52, so thatthese blocks being. of a yielding nature will firmly grip theffiber passing between them and the surface of the chain 52, but will have no tendency to crush the ber. i At the back of the small apron 21, an extending parallelA with the surface thereof, there is arranged a-plate 55,theflower edgeof which curves.. slightly toward the apron, as indicated at k56, -and -extends at its forwardend a short distance'below the lower edge of the race-way 53. Fromjthis lower.-

most point the plate 55.is cut awayto provide an inclined `portion 57 on'its-under side at its forward end. The purpose'of this plate will appear from rthe `description of the machine to be given later.

YLocated infront ofthe refe-way 38, from side to si'de of apron 8 Aandezrtending on a backward and downward incline, isa `bar 58, provided on its underide at its forward end with an inclined por ion .59, Athe under edge of whichA bar engagesthe plant and causes its outer end to be pressed downward toward the apron 8. The incline of this bar p' causes its rear end to :approach close to the race-way 38 whereby .said bar will force the portion ofthe plant adjacent to the butt end downward agalnst the pins of theapron to insurelthat such portion ofthe plant shall be acted upon by the decorticating apron.

The machine as a whole is drivenlfrolm the pulley 4a, mounted on the shaft 4. 'The remaining elements of the driving mechanism will now bed'escribed. On the ,rear end of the shaft 4 is mounted a Aworin 60 which is inmesh with a worm gear 6l secured on the `end of a .cross-shaft 62 mounted in suitable bearings in the frame A chine.

on this stub Ashaft 68 .and through the con,- nection described the. sprocket chains 44 are l of the machine. FiXedly secured on the cross-shaft 62 is a gear 63, which is in mesh with a larger gear 64 fixedly secured on a lcross-shaft 65, which likewise is mounted in suitable bearings in the frame of lthe -ma- Also mounted on the crossfshaft 65 isja gear 66 which is in mesh with asimilar gear 67 mounted ona stubv shaft 68 Ahaving bearings in the lowerend of the plates 40. The sprocket wheel 41 is likewise mounted driven. Mounted -on the shaft 65 is also a.

sprocket wheel 69. `Mounted on a cross# shaft 70, one'end of which is supported in bearings in the upper end of the plates 27 volved from the shaft L65. Mounted on .the-

shaft 70 is a gear 74,'which is in mesh with a sinilargear imounted'on a stub shaft 76 .supported in bearings infthe lower end lof the plates 33. The double sprocket wheel 34 previously referred to. is mounted on the stub shaft 76, and by the sprocket and gear connection 'described the sprocket chains 35 are driven. i" Iny like mannen the double sprocket wheel 29, previously referred to, is

mounted on the cross-shaft^70 and through the mechanism described the chains 30 are` thereby driven.`

The variousx sprocket chains forming the carriers for they material have been described as traveling pairs; this construction has been adopted merely for the sake of economy and convenience in construction in actively broadrgripping surfaces for the. plants to. be decorticated. I. wish it understood, 1 however, that .the invention is in no wise limited to-the use; of double sprocket wheels and gpairs -of sprocket chains traveling together. but if desiredsingle sprocket chains of suiiicient Widthmay be substituted in each instance for the two chains described.

The mechanism forfeeding the stalks of theleaves between the feed chains comprises a'feed-trough 77, haring one side open, and` 'complishing the object of providing relap its other side closed by a platel 78. Mounted t0 rotate in 'close proximity to the bottom of the feed-trough is a worm 79 which is `rotatably mounted in a bracket 80. The inner end of the worm extends beyond the beanJ ing of the bracket 80 in the form of a y shaft 81, which is provided with a beveled gear 82', in mesh with beveled gear 83, mounted on a stub shaft 84 supported in bearings in the lower ends of bracket arms 85. Supported in ay bracket 86, suitably mounted on the frame, is a. shaft 87 on which is secured a sprocket wheel 88, which is'infmesh with tho sprocket chain on the under side thereof.

Secured on the shaft 87 is also a large` sprocket gear 89. The stub shaft 84 yhas a l small sprocket wheel QOmunted thereon and a sprocket chain 9i` is passed over thev sprockets 89 and 90. l'llhrough the vmechanism described, the shaft 84 isrotated from the'sprocket chain `35 and through the gear connection described the worm` 79 will'be rotated.' The leaves vbeing placed in the trough 77, the rotation of the worm 79y acts fries themrforward and causes themtozpa sa 'ist into the spa ie 3S) and between the feed chains.

In operation, the butt end of the plants are successively inserted into the space between the chains and -i, which clamp the plants and act as a carrier to convey them over the endless apron 8. The plant passes under the bar 5S which operates to bend the plant downward so that its extreme outer end will be engaged by the pins of the apron 8, and as this apron is rapidly revolved.` the plant is progressively decorticatedfroin its outer end inward. In this operation the bars 9y act to knock off thorns or other projections, on the material being cleaned, and to brush the woody particles and the like, from the liber, thus materially assisting thev cleaning operation. Owing (to the inclination of the bar 58, the plant is pressed farther and farther downward upon the apron, and by the time the plant has reached the rear end of the bar all but a very small portion of `the plantv will have been acted upon by the pins of the apron. s rlearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4l. the chains /rf-*L and 52, constituting the carrier for the secondary or nishinfay apron 21. travel. in a plane cousiilerably in front of the. plane traversed by the carrier chains of the main apron. the end of the first carrier, it passes between the blocks and the chain 52 of the second carrier, which latter will therefore clamp the .product in the portion which has already been acted upon by the decorticating apron 8. The butt end of the plant'now passes from between the chains of the first carrierand in its onward progress it strikes the inclined and curved end of the plate 55, which causes said butt end to be bent'downward into the path of the pins of the apron 2l, which engage the saine and at oncebend it under nthe race-way 53 where itis acted upon by thc said pins and by the bars 57 during its progress to the end of theinachine. In this latter operation, the kpart of the plant already decoiticated by the main apron rests upon and travels over the auard 22. As the product leaves the second carrier, it may fall upon conveyors which re move it from the machine; or it maybe caught and removed bvan operator.

As the present machine, with the exception of the endless aprons and the spiral food device, is in practically all respects identical with the machine described and illustrated in my application above named,

to recover Fiber, or when the y'liber thereof is ot no commercial value. This construcf tion is inrluded within the claims of my As the decorticated product nears 'patent aforesaid, 'and -I Wish 'it distinctly understood that I mayuse thesame with the apparatus herein shown.' Also I have not herein described theI niaiinerof adjusting the supports of the upper carrier chains, as

this construction is precisely the same as fully describedy in my patent aforesaid. I have shown in the present case a spiral' feed device which, however', I have( used in a somewhat similar relation in adec'orticating machine forming the subjectmatter ofvarious LetteisPatcnt taken out in this'and other countries of the world.'v In the present machine, however, I provide 'for `aliniing thel butts of the plants by Ameans of they spiral feed, a feature not shown in my previous` surface, in a substantially Ystraight line, and' means adapted to engage one eind of the plant and feedI the plant "sidewise in a straight downwardly-inclined. path over said member from one end t'o the other thereof and progressively toward'and, into contact therewith from'the puter end lof' the plant inward.

2. In a-machine'ifor decorticating fibrous plants, a. traveling memberl 4having decor-tiyeating pins and moving, as to its operative surface, in a substantially 'straight line; and

means adaptedto engagev one endof thej" plant and lfeed the' lplant,sidewise`in a straight downwardly Linclined 'path over',

said membri' from,A one end'to 'the other thereof in a direction yat right angles to its tal yplanes andfpro'vi'ded with projecting de.

path past the first apron and progressively outer end of they plantl inward, means for conveying 'the' l` partly decorticatedv plant past the second 'apron' and'm'eahs for turning t'liebutt'end thereof into engagement with the lecorticating-meinbers ofysaidse'c` ond apron. v

4. In a machinefor "decorti'cating' fibrous plantsuya pair'of endless aprons arrangedto 4arwinged'to travel in substantiallyhorizon- Y. 11o corticatmg members, means for conveying a l, plant in a straight' downwardly-inclined ltowa rd yand' into contact therewith from the lis,

travel lin substantiallyhorizontal planes'and' provided` with deeorticating' members and -supported in cndvvise relation," me'asifor.. f conveying a plant 'in a straight, ydownwardly-inclined path past-the firstfap'ron,l

moans for-causing tlie'main portion" of said plant to engage the doi-.orticating members of said apron, conveying mechanism for carrying the partly-decorticated plant past the second apron, and means for turning .the `butt end of said plant into contact with the decorticating members of the last named apron.

In a` machine for decorticating fibrous plants, a pair of endless aprons arranged. to travel in substantially horizontal planes and provided with projecting pins and supported in endwise relation, means for convcying a plant past the iirst apron, means for causing the main portion of said plant to engage the pins of said apron progressively from the outer end of the plant inward, con\f'eying mechanism for carrying the partly decortjicated plant past the second apron, and means vfor turning the butt end of said plant into contact with the pins of the last named apron.

(3. In a machine for decorticating fibrous plants, a pair of traveling, endless aprons inorided with decorticating pins, means for feeding a plant past the first apron and progressively into contact with the pins thereof from the outer end of the plant inward, means for feeding the partly-decorticated plant past the second apron, a guard extending over said second apron for supporting the decorticated portion of the plant in its passage over the apron, and a guide men-.ber positioned lplants comprising a to engage the butt end y of the stalk and to force it into contact with the pins of the second apron. l

7 A machinefor decorticating fibrous plants comprising a pair ing aprons provided with projecting. pms, and mounted in'endwise relation in dii'erent planes to movein unison.

8. A machine pair of endless, traveling aprons moving, as to their operating surfaces in different and substantially horizontal planes, and mounted in endvviae relation and having a common driving shaft.

9. In a niacliine for decorticating fibrous plants, in combination With a decorticating member and feed chains for conveying plants over the same, a feed trough having an end plate, and a spiral feed-device .located in said trough in a position parallel to the feeding chains, and adapted to rotate, as to its lower side, toward-said end plate, whereby, in its operation, ends of the plants against the end plate of the troughand simultaneously to carry said ends forward between the feed chains.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

' WALTER JOHN HOLLIER. Witnesses:

HELEN HARRINGTON, BRUCE S. ELLIOTT.

for decorticating librous of endless, travelto aline the butt 

